Oil Change Intervals
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New User
Joined: Feb 2009
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Oil Change Intervals
So should I stick with the 3,000 mile oil change I did with the F150 or should I go with every 5,000 miles on my new truck 08 F250 5.4(gas) ??
Dealership said 5,000 if I don't haul a LOT (use it for hauling heavy loads long distances only about 6 times a year) the rest of the time it's interstate driving..
But I've had the 3,000 drilled into me all my life...
So.... would every 3,000 be overkill and a waste...?
Is every 5,000 miles okay?
The computer check says oil life is about 50% right now and it has about 2,500 miles on it... so thinking 5,000 is looking about right..
What do you guys do when it comes to service intervals?
Dealership said 5,000 if I don't haul a LOT (use it for hauling heavy loads long distances only about 6 times a year) the rest of the time it's interstate driving..
But I've had the 3,000 drilled into me all my life...
So.... would every 3,000 be overkill and a waste...?
Is every 5,000 miles okay?
The computer check says oil life is about 50% right now and it has about 2,500 miles on it... so thinking 5,000 is looking about right..
What do you guys do when it comes to service intervals?
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 443
Likes: 7
From: reno nevada
oil
Well i go with 5k on my trucks over the years and have had very good luck with that. Thats what i do on my 02 powerstroke. And .i have also had good luck with two very high millage old Rangers. One had 303k when sold and is still running! Just my 2 cents. Joe
You Keep What You Kill
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,902
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From: Huntersville, NC
IMO, the oil is the "life blood" of the engine. I'm sure that there is a point where the return of investment isn't cost effective but I try to change my oil every 2K miles using regular oil. It's black every time and I love the look of that "liquid gold" on my dipstick! On my 2005 F350, I think that I will start using full synthetic and change it every 5K miles. I always include the filter with the oil change.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,191
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I changed mine as soon as I got it home, Then 500 1000 15000 with conventional oils (Castrol) Now I do it every 5000 miles with Mobil 1 synthetic. I tow.
One way you can test your oils is. Change your oil, and fill up the gas. Moniter your gas milage. record mileage every fill up, When mpg drops, its time to dump the oil. That is how big fleet co. do it.
My 302 used to drop at 2700 miles with castrol conventional.
One way you can test your oils is. Change your oil, and fill up the gas. Moniter your gas milage. record mileage every fill up, When mpg drops, its time to dump the oil. That is how big fleet co. do it.
My 302 used to drop at 2700 miles with castrol conventional.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,022
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From: Redford, Mi.
I use full synthetic on all my ride's, my 65 442 get's it once a year (lucky if it gets 1,000 miles a year on it), everything else every 4 to 5 k. I use nothing but Wix or Motorcraft filters.
You Keep What You Kill
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,902
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From: Huntersville, NC
That's a very interesting concept... linking the effectiveness of the oil to your MPG. I'll have to try that on my vehicles.
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I have actually noticed my MPG drop starting around the 2800 mile mark using the Motorcraft 5/20 that the manual recommends.
You Keep What You Kill
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Huntersville, NC
Depending on the price of gas and how many miles you drive per year, it may be more effective than I thought to change the oil more frequently!
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 84
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From: Lake Fork (WoodCo.) TX
Guys - I don't mean to start a war over oil change intervals, But.
I grew up in my dad's service station when they were full service and nothing else. Back then, (50's) oil changes were 3000 miles and it was more than justified.
Now days, with all the modern oil filtering systems, upgraded oils, both paraffin based and synthetic, 3k oil changes have gone the way of the hula hoop.
There has been a ton of press on this matter in the last year, which the mfgers have agreed, 3k and even 5k is not necessary under normal operating conditions.
Sure the dealers push 3k oil changes, even though the vehicle owners manual plainly states, in most models, 7500 under normal use and 5000 for heavy duty towing or dusty conditions.
You can bet you bottom dollar that Ford wouldn't recommend 7500 miles between oil changes, if there were the least chance it would screw something up.
I have my 6.0 PSD oil analyzed by a reputable lab and they are now recommending that I go up to 10,000 miles between changes. At 14 qts plus filter, that adds up.
I grew up in my dad's service station when they were full service and nothing else. Back then, (50's) oil changes were 3000 miles and it was more than justified.
Now days, with all the modern oil filtering systems, upgraded oils, both paraffin based and synthetic, 3k oil changes have gone the way of the hula hoop.
There has been a ton of press on this matter in the last year, which the mfgers have agreed, 3k and even 5k is not necessary under normal operating conditions.
Sure the dealers push 3k oil changes, even though the vehicle owners manual plainly states, in most models, 7500 under normal use and 5000 for heavy duty towing or dusty conditions.
You can bet you bottom dollar that Ford wouldn't recommend 7500 miles between oil changes, if there were the least chance it would screw something up.
I have my 6.0 PSD oil analyzed by a reputable lab and they are now recommending that I go up to 10,000 miles between changes. At 14 qts plus filter, that adds up.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,022
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From: Redford, Mi.
I have my 6.0 PSD oil analyzed by a reputable lab and they are now recommending that I go up to 10,000 miles between changes. At 14 qts plus filter, that adds up.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,556
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From: Manhattan, KS
I don't want to jinx myself, but over the years I have followed the manufacturer's recommended oil change in a number of vehicles. Most were bought used with fairly low miles and most had about 200,000 miles or more on them when I sold them. Usually the recommended change interval was about 5000 miles unless extreme conditions. I've used dino oil. I've not had trouble with any of the engines running those miles. A few of the vehicles started using a little oil as they got close to the 200K mark, but none used more than a quart in 1500-2000 mile except a 95 Cougar with a 4.6 that used about a quart every 800 miles from the day I got it with 80K on the clock.